Everyone but Dylan is driven into a frenzy by the upcoming SATs. A completely panicked Andrea seeks help from Steve, who attended an expensive SAT prep course. During their study session, they end up kissing, and avoid each other for days. Kelly reads an article about breast health, so the girls take time out from studying for a self-exam. Brenda discovers a lump in her breast and must undergo a biopsy. Cindy and Brenda are haunted by memories of Cindy's sister Sheila, who died of breast cancer. Brandon cannot concentrate during his SAT, so he leaves during the exam to go to the hospital. (He and Brenda are to take a make-up test at a later date.) Brenda is relieved when she receives a clean bill of health. Music: "That's Just the Way It Is, Baby" by The Rembrandts
Comments
**** 1/2
Not the all-time greatest episode of the series, but it IS one of the stronger ones. It's also surprisingly realistic and perhaps even ahead of its time (Brenda's a bit young, but closer to the age many are diagnosed than the average viewer might think). AND this is one of the first episodes that I ever saw (possibly the very first?) giving it some extra nostalgic value.
(Little did I know back then that, in some 15 years time, I'd be able to "relate" to Brenda. Sure enough, I found myself flashing back to this episode on several occasions while I was going through the process of being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 27. I even thought for awhile that I had a fibroadenoma... just like Brenda had!)
P.S. Little does KELLY know in this episode, as she's performing her self-examination, what fate would eventually befall her poor mother. R.I.P., Jackie...